CHOMP, CHOMP: GATORS WIN AGAIN FLORIDA BECOMES FIRST TO REPEAT SINCE '91-'92.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN

Staff Writer

ATLANTA -- They were often criticized for their fist-pumpin', hand- slappin' and sometimes table-smackin' celebrations, yet Florida's brash bunch of stars never apologized for showing every ounce of emotion and arrogance.

Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer shunned the NBA for a chance to separate Florida from the normal championship team, and their antics gave millions of non-Gator fans a national villain to root against.

Say what you want about whether the Gators win with class, or whether they disrespect their opponents, but the undisputable truth is that Florida is the best.

The Gators beat Ohio State 84-75 Monday night at the Georgia Dome to push their way into college basketball lore by becoming the first program to win back-to-back national championships in 15 years.

"Hopefully, we'll be viewed as one of the best college basketball teams in the game," said Florida wing Corey Brewer, who scored 13 points, had eight rebounds and was the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. "You have to put us up there.

"Some guy was up there talking on TV, (and) gave us a little motivation, because he's talking about (Florida) not being in the top five greatest teams to ever play the game even if we came out here and won the game. He should go do his research or something, because numbers don't lie."

The Gators (35-5) were so impressive in the Final Four, they barely seemed tested against UCLA and Ohio State, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation entering the season. Each time the Gators were pushed, they answered with quick, silky smooth 3-pointers, baskets in transition, or mid-range jumpers in displaying why they are the nation's most complete team.

Ohio State (35-4) hardly looked like a team carrying a 22-game winning streak, aside from the play of freshman 7-footer Greg Oden, who scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in what likely was his last college game.

"When we look back, this is going to be one of the greatest years we ever had," Oden said. "Right now I'm just so disappointed we lost. If we could have that game back -- I'm not saying we would do anything different -- but I'd play right now. They won the national championship. They're the best team out there."

Florida was led by Horford's 18 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Taurean Green added 16 points and Lee Humphrey scored 14 as Florida became the seventh program to win back-to-back titles, and the first since Duke in 1991 and 1992.

"Our motto is we set records," Brewer said. "We make history, too, but our motto is we set records."

Much of the core of Florida's talented squad, if not all, is expected to leave, but the bigger issue the next couple of days in Gainesville, Fla., is whether coach Billy Donovan will be around to infuse the program with new talent for a third title run.

Reports are Kentucky was waiting for Florida's season to end to approach Donovan about moving to the Bluegrass state. Donavan makes $1.8 million annually, and no matter his decision he should see a hefty pay raise, in the posh neighborhood of $3 million.

"I just got off the court," Donovan said. "I think all that stuff will be addressed, but now's not the time to address it."

While Donovan's fate is murky, is seems more clear the central figures to Florida's run to basketball powerhouse will be leaving for the NBA.

Noah, Horford and Brewer -- all potential lottery picks who came back to try and win consecutive titles -- are all expected to bypass their senior seasons.

Meanwhile, the sharp-shooting Humphrey, who made 4of7 from 3-point range, is a senior, and there was talk at the Final Four that Green, a junior, also would test the NBA waters.

"I sit up here very, very humbled because I think I was fortunate enough to coach a group of guys that has to go down in history as one of the great teams of all time," Donovan said. "I'm not saying they're the most talented, and I'm not saying they were flawless.

"But when you talk about the word team, and what team encompasses; unselfishness, sacrifice, playing together, they have to go down and be considered one of the best teams to play."

Oden blocked and altered shots inside, but the Gators built a 40-29 halftime lead behind the 3-point shooting of Green and Brewer, then kept the Buckeyes at arm's length in the second half with Humphrey's deadly aim.

Florida made 10 of 18 attempts from 3-point range, while Ohio State was 4 of 23 beyond the arc.

With Noah (eight points, four rebounds) neutralized by Oden and foul trouble, Humphrey and Horford took over in the second half. Ohio State trimmed a 14-point lead to 66-60 with 5:03 to play, but Green responded with a 3-pointer and Horford put it away when his 10-footer made it 73-62 with 3:29 to play.

"It's hard, because I love this team and I don't want it to end," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "I would like to go back to practice tomorrow."

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Florida's Corey Brewer, named the Final Four MVP, celebrates after the Gators defeated Ohio State.

Mark Humphey/Associated Press

(2 -- color) From left, Al Horford, Taurean Green, Joakim Noah, Lee Humphrey and Corey Brewer celebrate another Florida title.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Box:

BOX SCORE